Different Kinds Of Prayer (Part 2 - Consecration)

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Wednesday July 29, 2009

As mentioned yesterday, there are different types of prayer mentioned in the Bible, and each type has it's own characteristics and requirements to be effective.

The prayer of consecration is best exemplified by Jesus Himself:

Luke 22:41-43 (NIV)
41. He (Jesus) withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

The prayer of consecration is a prayer telling God that you are ready and willing to do His will. Of course this particular example should not be taken out of context either. Jesus prayed this prayer in Old Testament times (He had not yet died and arisen) and He was about to suffer death on a cross as our substitute in order to institute the New Covenant. Of course none of us will ever be asked by God to do that!

The prayer of consecration is not a prayer of giving up or accepting suffering; it is a prayer showing God that your will is aligned with His. For example, you wouldn't pray a prayer of consecration to tell God that you are ready and willing to die of cancer because you believe that to be His will. That would be a prayer of ignorance, since the Bible (God's will) tells us that Jesus already took up all our infirmities and carried our diseases, providing for our healing from any and every disease.

But God does ask us to do things that seem difficult, or even impossible to us. That's when it's important to notice verse 43 in the passage above; after Jesus prayed the prayer of consecration, an angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him! When we are ready and willing to do God's will, God will strengthen us and give us the ability to carry it out! If we exercise our faith in Him, nothing is impossible:

Matthew 17:20b (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "

And God tells us that if we are willing and obedient, we will "eat the best from the land" (experience God's blessing):

Isaiah 1:19 (NIV)
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land

PRAYER
Thank You Father for loving me and wanting good things for me. Help me to walk in faith like You desire me to, trusting You to lead me by Your Spirit. I submit myself to Your will for my life, and I ask You to Help me to understand Your will better through Your Word.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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